Saturday, May 14, 2011

Abdominoplasty or tummy tuck is a cosmetic procedure that involves placement of horizontal lower abdominal and around the belly button incisions. The abdominal skin is then tightened by separating the skin and fat layer from the muscle layer, pulling down the upper edge of the incision and creating a new hole for the belly button higher up on the skin that has now been stretched downward. In most cases suture tightening of the abdominal muscles is also performed. In some cases additional tightening for very loose muscle is achieved by placing additional vertical and/or horizontal rows of sutures. The result is frequently improved by liposuction peformed at the same operation. It is not a medically necessary procedure and therefore not covered by health insurance unless the excess skin and/or fat is required to close an open wound or reconstruct a breast after breast cancer surgery rather than being removed for cosmetic reasons.